December 12, 2012 - Brandon Twp.- Several hundred township residents will be receiving invitations in the mail next month, giving many a cause for possible celebration.

Consumers Energy will be mail letters in January to more than 600 residences, inviting homeowners to a Jan. 19 meeting regarding phase two of the public utility's gas main extension project in the township.

"I see excitement from residents in phase two," said Supervisor Kathy Thurman. "Costs haven't been released, but Consumers has indicated it will be very close to what was charged for phase one."

Consumers Energy recently completed all gas service installations in phase one, which began in July and included 227 residences on Allen, Reese, Stanton, Sashabaw, Seymour Lake, and Sherwood roads, as well as side streets.

The primary motivation to switch to natural gas from other heat sources, including propane, is price, said Consumers Energy Customer Attachment Program Manager Dan Jones in addressing numerous Brandon Township residents at public meetings this spring following the utility's proposal to extend gas mains.

The equivalent cost of natural gas against propane is 84 cents per gallon, including, he stressed, all charges from Consumers. He compared that to $2.19 per gallon for the average price of propane and pointed out that natural gas customers would save $1.35 per gallon.

Previously announced plans for the second phase included the northwest area of the township, including S. Hadley Road, Sawmill Lake Road, Perry Lake Road, and portions of Seymour Lake, Granger, Hummer Lake and State Park roads. Phase two is estimated to include 620 residences and like phase 1, 50 percent participation is required for the project to proceed, so 310 signed contracts are needed.

"We are hoping to have 50 percent of the project area signed up by end of March so construction can begin in April, the beginning of their construction season," Thurman said.